Automatic flow gap adjusting anti-slab method and apparatus

Abstract

An anti-slabbing device pivotally coupled above a material conveyor and configured to drop down onto material conveyed and further configured so as to vibrate the leading edge of the material as it reaches the end of the conveyor to create a more consistent flow of material from the end of the conveyor down onto a spinner for distributing the material.

1. A method of improving flow rate uniformity of material flowing to a spinner spreader with controlled capacity for impeding flow and a concomitant increased ease of passing debris which might otherwise interfere with uniformity of flow of the material, comprising the steps of: providing a conveyor for transporting material outwardly from a storage container which is carried upon a wheeled vehicle; conveying material by the conveyor; providing a spinner, below the conveyor, configured for distributing the material after the material falls off an end of the conveyor; allowing the material to drop from the conveyor onto the spinner where it is distributed; providing a pivoting vibrator assembly, disposed at least in part above portions of the conveyor and in contact with the material, while the material is being conveyed by the conveyor; causing the pivoting vibrator assembly to vibrate, and thereby increase a flow consistency of the material on to the spinner; configuring the pivoting vibrator assembly for and allowing the pivoting vibrator assembly to automatically pivot upwardly, as a result of a change in matter coming in contact with the pivoting vibrator assembly, and thereby increasing a gap through which the matter can drop below the conveyor; and wherein said pivoting vibrator assembly further comprises: a spaced apart array of a plurality of longitudinally rigid cutting inner blades, each inner blade comprising: a proximal end and an opposing distal end, where the proximal end is nearer an axis or rotation about which the pivoting vibrator assembly pivots and the distal end has a free end; a cutting edge, disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, for cutting into the material as it flows toward an end of the conveyor; a means for preventing the plurality of inner cutting blades from contacting a moving surface of the conveyor; and a vibrator coupled to and configured for vibrating the cutting inner blades at a predetermined vibrating frequency. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of causing the pivoting vibrator assembly to vibrate comprises the step of causing the pivoting vibrator assembly to vibrate in a two-dimensional orbital manner. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the change in matter coming in contact with the pivoting vibrator assembly is caused by an increase in at least one of feedgate opening size and speed of the conveyor. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the change in matter coming in contact with the pivoting vibrator assembly is caused, at least in part, by debris disposed within the material being conveyed by the conveyor operating at a substantially constant speed. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined vibrating frequency is in excess of 1000 cycles per minute. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of:
 providing a latching mechanism configured to hold the pivoting vibrator assembly in an upwardly disposed stowed configuration; and 
 stowing the pivoting vibrator assembly with the aid of the latching mechanism. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the means for preventing further comprises:
 a plurality of support blades each with a conveyor contacting surface, configured so as to contact the conveyor before any portion of the longitudinally rigid cutting inner blades would contact the conveyor and thereby prevent contact between a cutting edge and the conveyor. 
 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for improving uniformity in spreading of material by improving uniformity of flow of matter off an end of a conveyor exiting from a material storage bin on a wheeled vehicle, comprising: a conveyor sized, located and configured to move dry bulk material from a material storage bin on a wheeled vehicle; a spinner disposed below the conveyor and configured to spread material falling from an end of the conveyor; a mounting structure, disposed above the conveyor; a pivoting vibrator assembly pivotally coupled to the mounting structure and gravitationally biased with respect to the mounting structure, so as to allow gravity to swing the pivoting vibrator assembly downwardly toward the conveyor and into contact with material being conveyed on the conveyor, and upwardly away from the conveyor when increased forces upon the pivoting vibrator assembly occur, which increased forces arise from impact between matter being conveyed by the conveyor and the pivoting vibrator assembly; and wherein the pivoting vibrator assembly comprises: an array of a plurality of elongated rigid cutting blades; and a vibrator coupled to and vibrating the array; and wherein said array of a plurality of elongated rigid cutting blades comprises a plurality of outside blades configured to contact the conveyor and support a plurality of inner blades above a position of contacting the conveyor. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising:
 releasable means for holding the pivoting vibrator assembly in an upwardly pivoted stowed position. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said vibrator is an electric vibrator. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of elongated rigid cutting blades interact with the material on the conveyor to create a forced angle of repose. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein interaction between the plurality of elongated rigid cutting blades and the material on the conveyor is dependent upon a mass characteristic of the pivoting vibrator assembly. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for improving uniformity in spreading of material by improving uniformity of flow of matter off an end of a conveyor exiting from a material storage bin on a wheeled vehicle, comprising:
 a conveyor sized and located to move particulate matter from a bin on a vehicle; 
 a rotating member disposed below the conveyor and configured to spread particulate matter falling from an end of the conveyor; 
 a mounting structure, disposed above the conveyor; 
 a pivoting assembly coupled to the mounting structure and biased, so as to allow the pivoting assembly to fall downwardly toward the conveyor and into contact with material being conveyed by the conveyor, and upwardly away from the conveyor when increased forces upon the pivoting assembly occur, which increased forces arise from impact between matter being conveyed by the conveyor and the pivoting assembly; and 
 wherein the pivoting assembly comprises:
 an array of a plurality of elongated members; and 
 a vibrator coupled to and vibrating the array. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13  wherein the vibrator is an electric vibrator. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 13  wherein the vibrator is an orbital vibrator. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15  wherein said vibrator is an electric vibrator. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16  further comprising an electric control for controlling a vibrating frequency of the electric vibrator. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17  further comprising means for increasing pressure on the matter caused by the plurality of elongated members.